Front Page Headlines
A beach took down the “government”
After 46 years, part of Famagusta’s beach front opens today. Polls show Mustafa Akinci ahead, while Ersin Tatar is battling with Tufan Erhurman for a place in the second round of the “elections”. Uncertainty and possibility of early “legislative elections” after Ozersay’s party withdraws from “governing coalition”. Next day scenarios open. Government continues diplomatic processes internationally to condemn Ankara’s and Tatar’s actions, while parties set their own preconditions for the next steps.
- Officially criminals: Prisons echo for Golden Dawn members
- National Guard: Officers also with private employment
- Seven days 142 cases: In front of two options: Compliance or lockdown
They turned Varosha into a chessboard
Tactical moves by Ankara aim to subvert basis for negotiations. Nicosia throws its weight on New York for a “strong statement” from the Security Council.
- Occupation closer to Protaras and Ayia Napa: Turks expand to the south of Glossa beach – Famagusta mayor: I was not able to sleep due my sadness and concern”
- Historical conviction for Golden Dawn: “Criminal organisation beneath the mantle of a political party”
- One death and 21 new cases yesterday: Cyprus on the verge and in danger of derailment
- Cabinet of Ministers decision: Citizenship recall procedure begins: These are the “7” that will possibly lose the Cypriot passport
- A festival without value for Tatar
Golden Dawn criminals… with political mantle
- COVID-19: Resurgence and backsliding
- Beach in Varosha opens among reactions – Reactions also from Turkish Cypriots over Erdogan – Tatar machinations – Commission: Turkey’s actions will be taken into account in December
- Refugees (displaced) upset over demolition of properties in centre of Larnaca
Works begin on Varosha seafront
Mayor says move to open beach taken to aid Tatar and sink talks.
- Parties call for action against ELAM after Golden Dawn ruling
- Cyprus: Twenty-one new virus cases and one death
Erdogan – Tatar’s moves on Varosha and water turns into boomerang
Varied reactions in occupied areas, “government” fell apart. Director of T/C CMIRS (research) centre shows that latest quarter survey that was conducted in September shows Akinci could even be elected in the first round and that he is ahead with 23.6% after Tatar with 10.8% and Erhurman with 9.2%. Government: Denounces Turkish machinations on international stage.
- Historic decision by Greek justice system – Trial compared with Nazi trial in Nuremberg: Golden Dawn a criminal organisation – Michaloliakos, Pappas, Kasidiaris and other officials in organisation found guilty
- Cabinet of Ministers decision: Citizenship removed from 7 persons. They had presented fraudulent information
- Concerns by Health Ministry: Fears of backsliding
Main News
G/C side reacts in measured terms to Varosha beach front opening
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Territory, Property, Human Rights, Negotiations Process, Regional/ International Relations, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The dailies report extensively on the announcement by T/C “prime minister” Ersin Tatar and Turkish President Tayip Erdogan on their intention to open a part of Varosha’s beach front to the public on Thursday, the reaction of the Republic of Cyprus and EU and UN officials, as well as the political crisis these developments have caused in the Turkish Cypriot community just a few days before the elections for T/C leader, including the withdrawal of HP from the governing coalition in the north which could lead to early “legislative” elections.
The dailies also report citing T/C media that the way to the newly opened beach in Varosha will be open beginning at 11 in the morning on Wednesday.
Politis reports that the Famagusta Municipality will be organising a protest at the Deryneia checkpoint on Wednesday, while DISY has announced it will carry out a campaign to inform the international community of the situation.
DISY leader Averof Neofytou said that the G/Cs should not give up on half of Cyprus, the EEZ or Famagusta and that what is necessary is meaningful dialogue on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF). AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou said in statements that a BBF is the only possible framework and that negotiations should begin from where they were left off at Crans Montana.
DIKO leader Nicolas Papadopoulos repeated the party’s position that decisive sanctions need to be imposed on Turkey and the government should repeat its efforts. He added that the EU can’t give millions of euros to the T/Cs for promoting reunification while they move forward with illegal actions in coordination with Ankara.
Famagusta mayor Simos Ioannou told Phileleftheros that it yet remains unknown whether the T/Cs will open access to the beach through Kennedy Avenue for use by T/Cs. G/Cs will be allowed to enter the beach through a road through the district of Ayios Memnon.
Ioannou said that what matters is not the roads that will be used, but the fact that the ghost city’s status is changing gradually, opening the way for the T/Cs to reopen the city itself.
Ioannou added that it is comforting that Turkish Cypriots themselves are reacting to Ankara’s machinations and its efforts to intervene in their elections. The Famagusta mayor also said that the opening of the beach might create competition to Ayia Napa and Protaras. He rejected assessments that the opening of the Deryneia checkpoint was pursued by the T/Cs with the aim to reopen Varosha’s beach front, saying that the two issues are not related.
Phileleftheros reports that the RoC government is responding to Turkey’s tactical moves over Varosha with tactical moves of its one, choosing to react in a measured way. An unnamed government source told the newspaper that “only Erdogan will gain if tensions are increased”.
The newspaper reports that the government is turning to the five permanent members of the Security Council of the UN and is seeking a strong statement on Varosha after the body’s meeting on Friday. The government wants this statement to condemn Turkish actions as well as support the resumption of negotiations immediately after the upcoming T/C elections.
Phileleftheros also reports that Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides will inform the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council on Monday of the situation in Varosha, and that President Anastasiades will brief the 27 leaders during the next regular European Council next Thursday, October 15th.
However the issue of Varosha and other developments regarding Cyprus will be discussed in the context of EU – Turkish relations in December’s European Council, Commission spokesperson Peter Stano told the Cyprus News Agency. Stano said that the EU will assess Turkey’s behaviour in the context of the European Council’s conclusions issued on October 1st.
CNA recalls that the conclusions call for the EU to consider possible sanctions while also preparing for a positive agenda on EU – Turkish relations if de-escalation is sustained.
Germany’s government spokesperson said that Turkey’s announcements on Varosha were an unnecessary and provocative action that comes into conflict with current efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region, and noted that Varosha’s status is covered by Security Council resolutions.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also said in an announcement that this decision is a unilateral moves that contravenes Security Council resolutions on Varosha.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell said during a plenary of the European Parliament that Turkey’s actions were a serious violation of the cease fire agreement and that it could lead to increased tension. He added that the 27 member states are expected to condemn this action with a joint statement.
Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakidou said in a tweet that she is deeply concerned over Turkey’s actions in Famagusta, noting that these actions contravene Security Council resolutions and cause harm to efforts to restart negotiations. Kyriakidou added that what Cyprus needs is trust building and not divisive actions.
Phileleftheros also reports on statements made by the Cypriot MEPs during the European Parliament’s plenary. DISY MEP Lefteris Christoforou called on the Parliament and Borrell to take strict measures against the criminal behaviour of Turkey which contravenes recent European Council decisions as well as Security Council resolutions. DISY MEP Loucas Fourlas told Borrell that some bear a heavy responsibility over the fact that Erdogan is “spitting in Europe’s face”.
EDEK MEP Demetris Papadakis and DIKO MEP Costas Mavrides, both members of the S&D group, sent a letter to the presidents of the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament and Borrell himself, condemning Turkey’s actions.
CMIRS head shares latest T/C polls results with Cyprus News Agency
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Governance & Power Sharing, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Center for Migration, Identity and Rights Research (CMIRS) head Mine Yucel spoke to the Cyprus News Agency about the latest results of its regular quarterly poll. According to Yucel, the move to open part of Varosha is a move related to the elections that will probably be reversed. She added that the poll shows Mustafa Akinci ahead in polls with 23.6% and facing Ersin Tatar (who is following with 10.8%), or possibly Tufan Erhurman (third with 9.2%) in the second round.
According to Yucel, Tatar’s support has been declining during the past 5 to 6 polls, while Erhurman’s support has remained stable. Yucel also noted that voters originally choosing far-right candidate Erhan Arikli will gradually move to Tatar, while voters originally choosing Erhurman will move towards Akinci.
In the poll, 22.6% of respondents chose not to say who they will vote for, 14.6% said they were undecided and 15.8% said they would not vote.
Yucel pointed out that the poll was conducted before Turkey started actively promoting Tatar’s candidacy, and that the drop in Tatar’s numbers is related to his handling of the coronavirus. However, she said, she believes that Turkey’s actions could further harm Tatar.
Ministry of Health warns of coronavirus resurgence as cases increase again
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The Ministry of Health announced that one 62-year-old man died from COVID-19 on Wednesday and that another 21 cases were detected, the dailies report. The patient had no underlying health issues. The total number of people that have died from the coronavirus in the government-controlled areas is now at 24.
Minister for Health Constantinos Ioannou said in a press conference that there is a serious danger that the situation in Cyprus could get out of hand within days. Ioannou pointed out that the reason for this resurgence is the fact that confirmed cases and their contacts do not follow rules and do not self-isolate after they are found positive.
In a press conference with the Health Ministry’s experts, Ioannou said that measures should be respected because the coronavirus pandemic will not end in a few weeks, but could very well stretch up to next April or May.
Alithia reports, citing the ministry’s announcement, that the 21 new cases were detected as the result of a total of 2,095 lab tests. Out of the 21 cases, 9 were contacts of already confirmed cases, 1 was detected in samples from state hospitals, 9 were found through tests conducted by personal initiative, 1 was found in samples sent to the labs by general practitioners and 1 was found during the tests conducted by the Cyprus Football Federation.
The dailies also note that one new case of the coronavirus was detected in the occupied areas after 3,012 tests according to the T/C health “minister”, and that this person had just arrived through the north’s airport. The total number of cases in the north has reached 779 and there has been a total of 4 deaths.
Golden Dawn conviction in Athens raises questions over ELAM’s status
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
All newspapers cover the decision of a court in Greece that far-right organisation Golden Dawn was in fact a criminal organisation disguised as a political party, and that its leadership and former MPs were found guilty of heading and directing a criminal enterprise. The court also found Giorgos Roupakias guilty of the murder of activist and musician Pavlos Fyssas, and condemned Golden Dawn members involved in the murder as well as in attacks against Egyptian fishermen and against leftist activists.
In Cyprus, far-right ELAM said in an announcement that it is no longer in contact with Golden Dawn and is no longer cooperating with the organisation. The announcement points out that the party’s president has publicly stated this for a while, and adds that every political party is judged on the basis of its record and underlines that “ELAM is one thing and Golden Dawn another”. ELAM also accused its critics of using this opportunity to attack it for political gain.
However many commentators in Wednesday’s dailies recall that ELAM was initially going to be registered as “Golden Dawn – Cyprus branch” but that this was not possible for technical reasons, as well as that its leader, Christos Christou, used to work for Golden Dawn leader Michaloliakos. The press also points out that Christou himself, as well as prominent Golden Dawn members, had often publicly said that the two organisations are identical.
DISY said in a statement that with this court decision a cycle has ended and that everyone should make sure that no more such groups can form disguised as political parties, but did not refer to ELAM directly. AKEL spokesperson Stephanos Stephanou said that there should be a probe into possible criminal offences carried out by Golden Dawn in Cyprus.
DIKO said that the court decision was a strong message against fascism. EDEK raise the question of Golden Dawn’s relations with ELAM and asks what Cypriot authorities propose to do. Solidarity expressed its full trust in Greek justice, the Greens said that this was a strong response on behalf of democracy and justice and Citizens’ Alliance said this was a great victory for democracy.
The dailies also report on the international coverage of the trial which was described as the biggest trial of Nazis since the Nuremberg trials.
T/C short film in programme of Cyprus International Short Film Festival
Haravgi
CBMs, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot produced short film “The Hunt” will be the first T/C short film to be included in the programme of the International Short Film Festival which takes place every year in Rialto Theatre in Limassol.
Haravgi reports that the short film is directed by Iranian-German Sholeh Zahraei and T/C writer Kamil Saldu and that its crew includes actors and crew from both communities. The film is based on a true story and deals with a romance that eschews gender norms, the patriarchy and ethnic divisions.
The movie is co-produced by Accept LGBTI Cyprus and the Ministry of Education’s Cinema advisory committee. Haravgi reports that there was a delay in the release of the film due to reactions about its themes.